A leap of faith

Deep thoughts with Lyra and TRex:

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something: your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well worn path-- and that will make all the difference."

This is a quote from Steve Jobs when he delivered the Commencement address at Stanford University in 2005. As you all probably know, Steve Jobs was co-founder and CEO of Apple and in the late 1970-1980's helped create the first personal computer, the Macintosh. He also invented the computer graphics series that would be used by PIXAR Animation Studios to create animated films such as Toy Story and Finding Nemo. He remained CEO of PIXAR until it was bought out by Disney in '96 at which time he was primary stareholder and served on the board of directors.  In August 2011 Jobs resigned as CEO of Apple and on October 5, 2011 Apple announced his death at age 56. (This is just a snap shot, short version obviously so for more info if interested, google it).

Last night when I opened up my web browser was when I heard the news about the passing of Steve Jobs.  Now of course Mr. Jobs is not a personal acquaintance of mine but I do feel like I have personally gained from this man's accomplishments. Examples: every blog I write is from an Apple computer, every phone call from an I Phone (also Apple), and as of late, filling much of my time watching animated films created by PIXAR Studios.  But as nature has it, nothing makes one more interested in a person's life than their death.  So when learning that he had died I was naturally interested in learning a little bit more about his life, and that is when I came across this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA   I encourage you to watch it.  Everything he says is quote worthy and inspirational; from his humble beginnings to his perseverance through many challenges that life threw his way. Not only was this man clearly a creative genius and visionary but he also was so wise and seemed to "have it all figured out".

Although the entire video spoke to me, it was the fist story he told that hit home for me most of all.  The quote at the top of the page is narrative of my life (as well as everyone else's) and especially as of late. I remember when I first found out that I was pregnant I thought that there was no possible way that I could or would have at baby at this point in my life.  Of course in the past when I thought of having a baby I pictured myself married, with lots of money, a job, a house, a car, more than -$30, 000 in my bank account.  And the things that I would have done before I had kids;  travel, gone back for a master's degree (at least), spent a lot of money on expensive clothes, bought my mom something really cool, payed off student loans, changed the world...   Basically I was afraid to have the baby because it would force my life into another direction; far from the one that I had planned and mapped out in my mind for many years. And of course not to mention, what would people think? My family who  were so proud of me for so many things- what if they were disappointed?  What if they would think I was a failure??  Upon making the decision to bring a baby into the world, Corey and I also made decisions about jobs that would take us both in opposite directions (literally and figuratively), one to WHITECOURT ALBERTA- to live with a random family and work in a field that he had no knowledge or experience, and ST. ANTONY NEWFOUNDLAND, middle of nowhere, "can you find it on a map?" to begin a career as a nurse (hopefully I pass my RN exam)- How's that for "off the well worn path"??

"Your time is limited.  So don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma- which is living with the results of other people's thinking.  Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition; they somehow already know what you truly want to become.  Everything else is secondary" -Steve Jobs

I have never been so satisfied and content with a decision.  I always told myself- don't let any choice you make be decided in fear. Who knew that when I (Corey and I) made the decision to go head with the pregnancy that I would be following advice that I wouldn't get until 6 months down the road... by a dead man who invented my computer.  I think that this counts as connecting the dots looking backwards...


How did your appt. go??:

Since my last post I have had 2 ante-natal appointments. They all consist of the same thing. First: I have had one weekly since the whole threatened pre-term labour fiasco, and Two: I get out on the CTG monitor for 30 mins each visit as well to track the baby's heart beat, movements and contractions, if they are present. The last 2 appointments went really well!! I only had one contraction on the CTG each time which is sweet :)  Just normal Braxton Hicks.  And the baby's heart rate is great, with the proper amount of excelerations. BALLIN'!!  I also have bi-weekly ultrasounds that were ordered to keep a close eye on the baby's growth, and the amount of fluid- just because I measure small, so the doctor wants to make sure that the baby has enough room to grow and move :) All good so far.  Next week I will have another one, so I will update you all on that when I have it :)  Oh and P.S. I am now 152 lbs, like holy cow, I am a cow!!  I've gained over my goal of 30 lbs... so I was kinda like that sucks, but then again I was like  "GO TREX"- because he/she is the coolest and clearly getting tons of food and nutrients :)

What else is new?:

#1.  MY MOM IS COMING ON MONDAY!!  yay!  Mommy is coming to keep me and TRex company and hopefully even be here for when TRex is born.  YAYAY!  I am so excited!!!  Although the weather has recently taken a turn for the worst; it was snowing and storming all day yesterday!! I am hoping that it will be nice when mom is here so we can do fun activities outside. I am very excited for her to come to baby club with me, and my appt. and ultrasound!!  That will be the MOST exciting!  And also just to spend some quality time, and maybe if I'm lucky I can recruit her to help me work on my baby blanket-  which is coming along so beautifully but still requires many more hours of work :(
So that is the biggest news!!

#2:  My friends had a wonderful baby shower for me last thursday night! :)  It was so great!  I got so much great stuff!  I got things for bath time, like soap and face clothes, and towels and a blanket, fuzzy sleepers and slippers and all that wonderful stuff.  Also my roommate being the amazing person she is got me a car seat!!  Which is the best thing ever and she is so kind and generous for doing that!!  I also got a really beautiful quilt that was made by a local woman, it is absolutely beautiful and I can't wait for TRex to have so much fun sleeping and playing on it :)  I also got a lot of other amazing presents for TRex, it was really great, but I think that the best part was spending time with my beautiful friends here, I love them so much! :)  Oh and it was a potluck and I ate so much food that I was full until the next day... at which time I ate left overs... haha

Balloons :)

The cake :)

My beautiful friends :)

Genista and I <3

Nikki and I <3

Sarah and I <3

Desiree and I <3

Crystal and I <3

Joanne and I <3  She hosted the party at her house (thanks!!)

Samantha and I <3

Mary-Ann and I <3

Oh, just me and TRex!!!!

Moosey strapped in and ready to go!

Sarah, Nikki and Moosey- practicing how to use the car seat

The quilt!!  :)

#3. Only 2 weeks (from tuesday) until Corey gets here!!!  Yay!!!  He gets here on October 18th and I am so beyond excited I can't even contain myself!  I can't even really talk about it because I am way too pumped so I'll just say this... kahfkadhsfkhasdfhkashdfkhasdfhasdfjasdlfjowejhegadksnfaksjdfasjdfljasdh and hope that explains everything.  Oh and this is how excited TRex is to meet Daddy: alsjdfkhasdfhiwehfiggfakjsdhfkajsdfkhakjsh!!%!&^%!*^!*&!(&!^!&%!^$!^%$!&^!(*&!)!)*!_*!)(*!(&!*&%!^$#$%@!%^!*&)!*.   Okay that just about covers it I guess :)

So yea, to sum everything up:

It is getting so close to my due date, it is hard to believe!  I have been feeling good but my ribs are having a hard time finding room, and I went on a hike the other day that turned out to be like 1.5 hrs, and then after that I went on another walk...  I was in a lot of pain and discomfort after that...  so no more hikes until Corey gets here because I was kinda scared I was going to like go into labour or something lol. I have been filling my time with fun activities and hanging out with lots of friends, and having a lot of fun!  I got my hair cut, FINALLY!  It had been like 5 months haha.

Okay I think that is all for me, these posts always turn out to be a lot longer than I mean them to... but I hope you like them :)

Until next time,
"Stay fit and have fun!"-Hal Johnson and Joanne McCloud

-Lyra and TRex

Sorry for the delay!!!

Hello all!  Sorry so long since the last post!!  I am a procrastinator, oops.

So an update:

Work:  I realize how lucky I am to find myself in workplaces that help me build on my skills and confidence as a nurse.  My job here was no exception.  It was a bit different this time because in the past I was working with nurses with many years experience, but here, for the most part, I was working with nurses with between 1 and 3 years experience.  Though it was a lot different, it was also a really good learning experience because it made me depend on my own experience and decision making instead of relying on the decisions of others.  With this said, although many of the nurses I worked with did not have a whole lot of experience, they were all excellent nurses and I also learned a lot from them and I looked up to them a lot.  Also because my co-workers were also my peers I made a lot of really great friends!!  :) :)

You may be wondering why I am talking about work in the past tense.. well it is because I was put off work for good on September 12.  It all started the week before on the 7th I had a ante natal apt. One of the OB/GYNs was away on vacation for a while before and this was her first week back, she is not as relaxed as the other one that I had been seeing while she was away.  All of the mid wives basically gave me a heads up before she got back that she would probably give me a hard time and order tests because I'm small and what not.  So, needless to say they were all right, as soon as she saw me she got out her tape measurer and determined that I was measuring small (they measure from your pubic bone to the top of your fundus and it should be (in cm) equivalent to the weeks you are, at the time I was 33 weeks but only measured 29 cm.  So she wrote a referral for an ultra sound (I had an ultrasound like 2 weeks before this because the hospital just got a new 4D ultrasound machine so I wanted one, ne way, at that time the baby was measuring 2 weeks big).  But regardless of this she wanted another one to make sure the baby was still growing and there was enough fluid and all that stuff. The ultrasound was scheduled for the next wednesday. She randomly decided she wanted me to be put on the CTG monitor which records the baby's heart rate, movements and contractions if you are having any.  So to make a long story short, I was having contractions, a lot of them, like every 4-5 minutes. I was completely oblivious to them which is kinda weird, but I guess i've never been pregnant before... At the time I was only 33 weeks which is too early to deliver at this hospital because they don't have a neonatal intensive care unit, so I would have to be sent to St. John's if they thought that I would go into labour.  To determine this they took a swab that would determine if I would go into labour within the next 2 weeks.  It came back negitive (yay) but they were still concerned so they gave me an injection called betamethasone, it is a steroid that helps develop the baby's lungs incase I deliver early. The doctor also changed my ultrasound to that day.  The ultrasound was really good, the baby is still measuring big :)  and there is plenty of amniotic fluid, she could see everything really clearly too, all 4 chambers of the heart, the blood flow through the heart and the rest of the body is good, 3 vessels in the cord, both kidneys are developed and seem to be functioning well.  The baby was estimated to weigh 5lbs at this time as well, so this was all good news :)  I was kept in over night for monitoring and to receive the second steroid injection the next afternoon.  I was wrote off sick for the rest of that day and the next day, I was off already for the weekend and then I would go back to work on monday and tuesday on light duty to see if I would have contractions again. So, I took it easy for the weekend and then went to work on Monday, Sept 12.  I didn't do any heavy lifting or personal care, I only did assessments and the pills.  After lunch I was feeling like my stomach was really tight so I was put on the CTG again which showed that I was having contractions, this time every 1-2 minutes and they were really strong.  It was the other OB/GYN working (the more relaxed one) but still she wanted to keep me in over night for monitoring, to make sure the contractions settled down, and she put me off work for good.   So, boo!!!  I really didn't want to be put off work.  I was hoping that I could work up to 37 weeks.  The time would go by so much faster if I was working, but then again I really didn't want to have the baby premature so I suppose I have to be happy to play it safe :)  So that is basically the biggest news to share :)

Since I have not posted in a long time I also havn't posted any belly pics...  so here are a few :)

Sun bathing at 27 weeks :)

Checkin out some icebergs in Goose Cove, 27 weeks

Some St. Anthony friends :)

Triple falls, can't remember how many weeks I was here.... but from my ghastly appearance it must have been before the sun shone.. lol

Trip to Corner Brook with one of the mid-wives, Alison.   Just your casual 5 hour drive for subway.. :)

Mary-Ann and I, went on a boat with some friends to check out the icebergs :)

Trex and I at a wedding... that we weren't invited to... so technically crashing it :)  32 weeks

Who's is cuter? :)

Got bored on night shift, my friend Desiree helped me decorate Trex's room :)  Barbie Style :) This was actually my last full shift :(

This became a lot less funny when Roopram (my OB/GYN) wanted to measure me and found these "Tattoos"....  she was not impressed.... lol  I think she seriously questioned my maturity level and I don't think she felt safe leaving her patients with me after this haha!!

Post work:

Picnics with roommates :)

Moose families :) (I hope I only have one haha)

Beautiful sunrises.  I took this from the window at work, the first time I was admitted... :)

Being careful, as per doctor's orders :)

Surprise BDay parties for friends :)

Since my early retirement (5 months was a long enough career I would say) I have been trying to keep busy with as much as possible. Last weekend one of my friends here was moving home to NS so I randomly decided to hitch a ride with her to Antigonish.  The plan was to leave early friday morning to catch the night ferry to Antigonish, arriving in the nish sometime saturday morning :)  But of course plans are always subject to change.  Melissa ended up having to work friday intil 8pm so then the plan was to leave St. Anthony once she was done work, drive to Port aux Basques and sleep for a few in the car and catch the Ferry in the am, arriving in Antigonish Saturday evening around 8pm. This would make the trip pretty short (since my ride back was Monday at supper time) but I would still get to see some friends, as well Jordan and my bff Jill were going to make a trip up to stay with me Saturday night and Sunday :)  But of course plans had to change again... the ferry that was supposed to dock in Port aux Basques Friday evening was not able to because of high winds from hurricane Marie... when we got to the terminal at 5:30am saturday morning the woman at the gate told us this info and said that we may not get on a ferry until sunday morning at the earliest but to come back in the morning and see if anything changed.   So, we decided that there was no point in trying to get a hotel for 3 hours so we found the safest looking parking lot (Tim Hortons) and tried to get some shut eye.  Well that is easier said then done when you have a beach ball in your stomach that your ribs are driving into... oh and those contractions that I was having... yea not fun... So needless to say I didn't get much shut eye... at 8:30am my alarm went off (not that I was sleeping anyway), got subway... obvs, and headed back to the gate to see if luck was on our side for once. The lady at the terminal told us that the ferry was still unable to dock but when it did we would be on it!!!!!  YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  this was really great news since we were technically booked on the one that was still in North Sydney. She said that the ferry was going to try to dock soon and then before long we would be on our way!  YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  A saying comes to mind... don't count your eggs until they hatch... well the ferry couldn't dock....  until like 5pm that night. Like seriously, KILL ME!!!!  I had already had to call Jordan and Jill and regretfully tell them that I wouldn't be making it saturday at all so they had to cancel their trip to see me :(  WAHHHH!  I seriously wanted to cry, but there is no sense getting upset over things that you can't control. Once we actually got on the boat it was a relief.  I still wasn't able to sleep but I knew I would have a bed to crash in as soon as I got to Antigonish...  at 2am sunday morning!!  ugh!  

Stuck in this car for far too long!!! 

This is how I feel about being stuck in the car for that long... 

Once I finally got in a warm bed (thanks so much Kelly and Kelly for letting me crashy crash at your place!!!) and got a decent night's sleep I felt a lot better and was able to see lots of friends that I hadn't seen in far too long :)   it kinda sucks living so far away from everyone.  If I didn't make this sporadic trip, none of my friends would have even seen me preggers... which really doesn't sound like a big deal but it is :) 

It was really weird being back on campus tho, especially pregnant.  Back on my old stomping grounds, where a few short months ago I spent everyday day and many nights. Its kinda funny because for 4 years  that place was my home, that is where I belonged.  I thought back to first year, coming onto campus that first day of frosh week,  I didn't know a soul. Looking around at all the strange faces I wondered who would end up being my friends, my classmates, my rivals? I remember I felt really small, extremely unimportant, none of the buildings looked or felt familiar- but I was very excited for what was to come... Quickly through the years I made my mark at St. FX; I built friendships, rivalries, a pretty solid reputation and sooooooo many memories.  By 4th year: returning to school in September for my final year felt a lot different than that first day of frosh week; every face I saw I knew, I felt on top of the world walking through campus, every building, every turf and every paved side walk brought back memories and a feeling that I as finally home after a long summer away, oh and of course, a  feeling of impending doom at the foresight that this was my last year... 

For a second being back on campus was almost sad; I pretty much went from Queen Bee as a student, to now, X graduate/unknown preggo, waddling around campus. It felt oddly familiar, kind of how I felt that first day of frosh week (difference being the beach ball, of course).  But then I thought about all the new frosh that year who by this time in late September were starting to make their own legacy at X, I got excited for them! Also for friends that I still have at X that are in their 3rd and 4th years who are up to Queen/King Bee status, stomping around campus like they own the place,  because now they did, it belongs to them- I have passed the torch...

Thinking about all of this made me realize how lucky I am to have something so wonderful to look forward to, TREX!!!!!!!!!  Beginning parent hood, i'd say, will feel a bit like beginning at St. FX, with all of the unknowns; fears, excitements, questioning "can I do this?" I will be able to add Mother to my list of identities that I have developed over the years... girl, friend, Nova Scotian, martial artist, lizard (don't ask if you don't already know...), student, Xavarian, Nurse, and now very soon- MOTHER! :) I'm sure that at first I will be very unsure, I will question all of my decisions and actions.  Slowly but surely I will gain confidence in my ability to be a good parent, I will make mistakes sure, but hopefully the good I do will be reflected in my child; good morals, laughter, confidence, appreciation, humility...  etc.  My role will change throughout the years as my baby grows into a child, then preteen, and of course the dreaded teens.... these years I will try to teach and guide as best I can, slowly allowing more and more freedom until I pass the torch once he/she reaches adulthood (desperately hoping that I was a success as a parent.... :) )  

Anyway.. this was a long post, and clearly I have a lot of time on my hands where I think too much... my next post won't be as long and it will come more quickly, I promise!

TRex and Lyra.... OUT!!

xo

LIFE is Awesome!!!! :)

Being able to wear my RN pin to work for the first time is AWESOME!!!
Signing my name as Lyra Burke, RN for the first time is AWESOME!!!
FINALLY getting my results back from my RN exam and it saying PASS on it is AWESOME!!!
YAY I PASSED!!  I AM NOW OFFICIALLY AN RN!!!  YAY!!

So Obviously I am very happy about that!  I found out just as I was leaving out the door to go to work tonight.  Most of us had not heard yet because the mail was backed up because of the strike so the school of nursing emailed us and let us know.  They had gotten word way back on the 5th!! So anyway, that was a really good part of my day!! :)  Everyone from school that I have heard of so far has passed so that is very good and I am so proud of all the new RNs from St.FX and really all over, all the hard work, sweat and many tears have finally paid off!  YAY!
(Georgia- I'm going to have to start that crossword you sent me now, because clearly I am a super genius! :)

So, what else is new..??

I had my monthly check-up last wednesday, nothing really new to report, I have gained a total of 15 pounds now so far, which I think is just about perfect!  Felt little baby's heart beat again :) That is always my favorite part!  So this week is 25 weeks, wow I can't believe it!  I still kinda in disbelief that I am even pregnant, and going to have a baby!  I'm sure it will all sink in October 24th when I am actually holding the little monkey. Corey and I will be looking at baby and then looking at each other thinking "what the heck did we do?!?!?!"  But of course I am so very excited and am trying not to wish away the time before baby is born.

I had a very lovely surprise one day when I was checking the mail for my RN results.  I got a huge package in the mail from Georgia!!!  It was AWESOME!!  I definitely have to add that to my list of things that are awesome; getting care packages in the mail... because it is amazzzziiinnnnggg!  Especially this one!  It had so many clothes and things for TRex, sour patch kids which are clearly the best!!  Face masks for Sarah and I to have a girls/spa night, a crossword, a beautiful card, and I am probably forgetting some other stuff... but any way, it was all really great and I was so excited to get home and open it, and now even more excited for little baby TRex to wear all the stuff :)  yay!

Another thing that is AWESOME is... long phone chats with people that you haven't talked to in a while.  I love catching up with friends and family that I haven't talked to in like a month or so, hearing about all the weird and wonderful things that they have been doing since the last time we spoke.  I miss everyone soooo much!  It will be VERY AWESOME when I get to come to my various homes and see you all again!!  Feels very soon!

So anyway, there really is nothing else to report, work is going pretty good.  I have good days and bad days, but that is very normal.  We were told this year in school that as a new grad there will be experiences that you will have that will boost your confidence as an RN and you will feel great, like you are really capable and all that, and then something will happen that will take all of your confidence away and you start back at square one.  It really sucks but I know that everyone goes through it when they are starting out, and even throughout the first year or 2, before you get the experience and confidence... I can't wait for that... some days I seriously dread going to work, but then by the end of the day I realize that it was a really good day, and my comfort level begins to slowly rise again.  It helps to talk to my roommate and other nurses about it... Sarah and I will kill ourselves laughing at all the terrible things that happened at work that week, it's funny in retrospect, and it helps to laugh at ourselves, we realize that it really isn't as bad as we first thought and that anyone could have made the same mistake.  And Corey as always has a way of making me feel like I'm the best, smartest and most capable person in the whole world, so that helps too :)  I really am lucky to have such supportive friends and family!

So yea I guess that is all.  I am happy happy happy, even when I'm feeling kinda blue I still can't help but be happy and smile because there are so many things that I am looking forward to and am thankful for.  Being away from all of my loved ones I really realize how much you all mean to me.  Even when I was at school I still had so many friends around and was busy with school work that I never had time to really miss anyone like I do now.  :)

Thanks everyone for being so great, I love you all very much!  And TRex loves you all already, even though he/she doesn't know you yet :)

xoxoxo,

Lyra and TRex <3

Clothes fitting tighter...

Hellloooooooo out there!!

It is thursday afternoon and it is STILL raining and crappy outside, not the best weather for my days off! :( I woke up today and made the biggest breakfast ever!!  I just got groceries yesterday so of course it is customary to eat ALL of the good stuff within the first 24 hours.  I had eggs, bacon, toast, hashbrowns, blueberries with french vanilla mouse, razberries with yogurt on top, cantaloupe and orange juice... I KNOWWW!  T-Rex was PUMPEDD!

And now I am just hangin out, can't really go outside for fear of being swept up in a tornado and taken to OZ, and we all know what kinda shinanigans Dorothy got herself into there!  My take on the whole thing is that she somehow got acid from that fortune teller at the first of the movie, but that is just me... Ne whoooooo....
I am hoping to go to the gym today at some point, one of my friend's from work is gunna go so I think i'll tag along, its been over a month... :(  Not good!! I won't do ne thing too strenuous but maybe give my arms and legs a little workout and some light cardio will probs make me feel like a babe... jk!! But I do need to get out of this house for like 5 mins fo sho!!

On the weekend Sarah and I were invited to a friend's house warming/birthday party in Corner Brook.  You don't even know how happy I was to get out of St. Anthony, even if it was only for one night.  I love it here and everything but I had the whole weekend off and needed to DO SOMETHING!!  I had a really great time!  The drive there was really long, about 5 hours, but it was beautiful!!  It is a really nice time of year here (despite the rain), so green and all the mountains all around look like they would be from the set of Lord of the Rings or The Land Before Time (the one where they actually make it to "The Great Valley").   I was definitely day dreaming about all the wonders that those mountains would hold the whole drive... :)  I think that at some point this summer a bunch of us will go camping in Gros Mourne and try and do the hike to the top of one of them.  I think that will be so amazing I can not wait.  I just have to make sure that it happens before I transform from human to a hybrid of half woman half whale...  I'm not sure if I will be able to survive on land long enough to make it up to the top... just an assumption.

Driving through the Straits...

              These pics really do not do the scenery  justice... it was amazing!

             Marble Mountain, maybe if I'm lucky I will come and snowboard here someday...

The first place we went in Corner Brook was the mall, DUH! Really just HAD to have some retail therapy, the CO-OP and the Bargain shop really just doesn't cut it!!! (Sorry St. Anthony, I know you try). We then went to Jen's place, (she is the one that was having the party and we stayed at her place), had a BBQ and cake and yummy treats, then started getting all prettied up for the evening. It was really nice to spend some quality girl time, and actually dress up and put on make-up.  I'M A REAL GIRL!! haha!

                             The view from Jen's apartment... it was beautiful!

Happy Birthday Jenn! :)

New friends from St. Anthony! :)

                                               Sarah and I <3

                                                  Group of girls!

                                            Chrisoula and I :)

It really made me miss all my girlfriends tho, its always so much fun getting ready together, trying on outfits and doing each other's hair and make-up.  Once we were ready ppl showed up and we hung out, talked and danced then went out on the town haha.  I was kinda lame and went home early, I don't think T-Rex was feeling the bar scene, and my back started hurting (I am such a lame-oooo).  The next day I got up and made breakfast for everybody, I felt that they needed some help recouping :)   I was really just practicing for when I have tired, teenager T-Rex and her/his friends to take care of haha, I'm actually pretty excited for that!  Mom always made THE BEST breakfasts for me and my friends in high school, I want to do the same :).

 Later we hit up Walmart, I got stuff to cross stitch, I'm gunna make a baby blanket, I hope it turns out, I've never cross stitched before!! Then lunch at Subway. I really did not anticipate how much I would miss Subway, I seriously can easily say that it is my favorite fast food restaurant, I think about it all the time, and really miss having it across the street!!!!!  :( We then hit the road for the longggg drive back to St. Anthony!  WORK TOMORROW!!

                                                    Sarah knitting on the drive back :)

So work is going pretty good!!  I am almost done orientation, just 3 more night shifts left and I'm on my own.  That is a very scary thought actually, I hate having to talk to the Doctor's and stuff, and having to call them for things, they really intimidate me!! But I think I am doing good, we will see I guess...
I have been working mostly with two girls, Chrisoula and Melissa, they are super sweet and fun to work with, they have both been working for a year now. Chrisoula lives in town so we hang out most days we have off, her bf lives away too so that is something that we have in common.  It sicks tho cuz she is moving in like 2 weeks to St. John's with her bf, that is will be really sad!  Melissa lives I think an hour and a half away, so she goes home on our days off, but she invited me to go home with her some weekend so I am looking forward to that :). Her bf also lives in Alberta, why do all out men have to live so far away :(
I have been really enjoying working with the new moms.  I had a first time mom one day and she was having difficulty breast feeding so I helped her with positioning and gave her some tips that I learned from my maternity clinical instructor in school, and also a book that I have been reading about breast feeding. She said afterwards that I really helped her a lot.  That made me feel good. I think that breast feeding is one of the most important things for mothers to do, so I was really happy that I could help.  I am so excited to breast feed!!  That sounds weird but, I dunno, I think it is a really good time for mom to bond with baby! :)
Something really funny happened at work the other day actually, I was sitting at the desk helping the Pediatrician do an admission and one of the nurses from outpatients was talking to me and saying that he was finishing work on the weekend and so wanted to say bye and good luck with the baby and what not. Then the Pediatrician that was sitting beside me (who I work with like everyday for the past month and a half) looked at us and was like "who is having a baby?"  And I was like um... mee???  Like duh!!  And she was like "oh, I didn't know you were pregnant.  I was wondering why a pretty girl like you would have such a big stomach."  I was like, okay so you just thought I was fat??  hahahahahahahahhaha!!  Her and I both DIEDD laughing.  She basically just thought I had like a beer belly or something...??  OUCH!! haha

So other than looking like a 50 year-old couch potato, I have been feeling okay... I have been having like   a lot of back pain recently.  I am going to try and get a back brace for work.  Some days are better than others, but I need to be really careful to keep really good posture and have good body mechanics when lifting patients. It has been getting a lot better but at times is like really bad!!  I have been trying really hard to eat really well though, I buy a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, trying to keep my energy up!  I want to be able to work as long as possible!!!
Yesterday Sarah and I made banana/chocolate chip muffins, they were sooo good!! Not the most healthy thing but a nice treat, and it made the apt. smell like, REALLY GOOD!

So I guess that is all I have to report right now for myself.  T-Rex is ballin out of control, pretty sure I have the coolest fetus in the world.  I dunno how "they" judge the coolness factor of unborn children, but I'm pretty sure mine would win.  Just sayin....

Corey started a new jobbbbbb!!!!!!!  He started yesterday and is just getting orientated right now, learning all about the company and stuff but he seems to be really excited about it! He also mentioned to them about getting time off for when T-Rex enters the world, and his boss is totally supportive and told him that they would try to make it all as smooth as possible! :)  Yay!  I actually cannot WAIT until he comes here!! I am so jealous at work when the new moms have their "partners" there with them, holding and cuddling baby and looking so in-love.  It is just so great and I can't wait for that to be Corey and I :)
Also I day dream every day when I get to come home in November (to NS and NB) and see all my beautiful family and friends. I seriously can hardly WAIT!!  And T-Rex will be there too, yay!!! And then when I get to visit Dad and Hope, the girls, and Aunt Nancy in Ottawa :)  How lucky is T-Rex to have so many friends and family to look forward to meeting!!

Okay that is all I have to share for now, I know I am super random in my posts but this is pretty much everything on my mind today :)  I hope you enjoy it and know that I miss you more than anything and can't wait to see you!!!!!!!!!!!

T-Rex and Momma Lyles OUT!!

PS.  If anyone is looking for a quick read this week I have a suggestion!  I came across a book called "The Book of Awesome", it is basically a book that lists and discusses numerous things in life that are AWESOME.  You know, some of the little things that people take for granted but that are like really AWESOME!  Its kind of a coffee table book, that is fun to flip through.  And then once you read that and start thinking about other little Awesome things about life and think, hey they missed some stuff, there is another book called "The Book of EVEN MORE awesome".  So there ya go, you should read them.  They made me feel all warm and fuzzy and really appreciate the little things that make me happy to be alive :)  I personally think that it is pretty awesome that millions of people around the world, no matter where in the world you are, appreciate some of the same little things.  Ex. Pulling in to a parking space and realizing it is a pull through... AWESOME!  Sitting on your nicely made bed and looking at your room that you just cleaned... AWESOME!  When a baby falls asleep in your arms... AWESOME! You are having a stressful day at work and you finally get to go on break an hour late and you look at your phone and have a txt from Corey Betts saying "Good morning babe, I love you"... AWSOME.. <3
Hey I have an idea!!  Why don't you send me some things that you think is awesome...  I think it would be fun to read the little things in life that you think are awesome, you can send it in an email, write it on my wall or write it as a comment on this post. You could even just make a list for yourself and read it if you ever have a bad day. :)

Okay so you are welcome in advance to those of you who decide to pick up one of those books. BYE! xo